How to get a job at a fashion magazine?

The average fashionable girl either wants to become a model or fashion editor. Especially that last one is a often heard dream thanks to the enormous popularity of today’s bloggers. We often get emails asking “how can I ever work for a fashion magazine or fashion website?” The ladies and gentlemen at the Huffington Post also got that question and decided to talk to Eva Chen, editor-in-chief of the endlessly popular Lucky Magazine. Chen is quite an influential lady and one of the few print editors that also managed to create a massive reach online. And not only with Lucky Mag, she’s also quite popular herself with her 188.000 followers on Instagram. She talked openheartedly in the interview about working in the world of fashion magazines and these are the most important lessons.

“THE BEST SCHOOL IN LIFE IS EXPERIENCE.”

It’s really not of this time to think you should have studied journalism (though that doesn’t hurt, of course) when wanting to become a writer. The best way is to draw from your own experience. In order to become good at writing, it’s important to write a lot. Just practise and make sure you’ve written a lot. You should also read a lot because who reads will write. Her advice is, simply put, “study what you love and intern in what you want to do.”

“YOU SHOULD NOT WEAR A SUIT TO AN INTERVIEW.”

A job interview at a bank requires a different approach to clothing than a job interview at a fashion magazine. A business suit is not a good move at a job interview for a fashion magazine, but don’t be over-the-top fashionable. It’s important to wear something that reflects your own style and which makes you feel good. “You know that outfit that when you walked down the street, you were like, ‘I’m really into my outfit today’? Wear that.”

“DON’T INCLUDE A PICTURE OF YOURSELF ON YOUR RESUME.”

And also no handwritten CVs with a lot of fuss. Just a businesslike summary of your relevant work experience. “I want it to be straightforward things you’ve done.”

“WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR IN YOUR COVER LETTER IS THAT YOU HAVE TO CONVINCE ME THAT YOU WANT TO WORK AT LUCKY.”

Or which ever magazine you’re applying for a job at. Don’t make the mistake to present your CV in a written form in your cover letter. Don’t write that you’ve done an internship here or there because that’s already in your CV. You should use your cover letter to explain why you would like to work at that specific magazine. Which photographers do they use and do you like so much, which brand did you discover because of that magazine, which bloggers inspired you that were also featured in the magazine? Clarify in your cover letter why you want to work at that magazine and not another one.”

“SEND AN EMAIL RIGHT AFTER THE INTERVIEW.”

Right after your interview, send an email and say you had such a great conversation and can’t wait to begin. Also recap the things you’ve said in the conversation.

“A GOOD ATTITUDE IS REALLY IMPORTANT.”

Be optimistic, curious, happy, proactive, serious, and, very important, creative. Always come with new ideas, no matter which level you’re at. Show them you really want this and that you’re good at it. These days, it’s important to be able to multitask. There are so many people very good at only one thing, so showing them you’ve got several talents makes you an interesting candidate.